The Down Side Of Hustle Culture: The Effects On A Menstruator -

Spread the love

Hustle culture has sucked everyone into working long hours, losing sleep, skipping meals and making sacrifices, all just to get ahead of the competition or break another glass ceiling. Many get so caught up in the adrenaline rush of the hustle that they lose sight of other essential things in life, like their health.

Thriving upon a fast-paced environment where one can juggle multiple tasks, hustle culture puts people under immense physical and emotional stress. The drive to work harder and faster might feel productive at the moment, but not knowing and recognising their limits can be dire to one’s own wellbeing.

How stress impacts your menstrual cycle

When you think of periods, you think uterus, right? Well, it actually comes down to the brain-uterus connection. According to an article by the University of California San Francisco, the Hypothalamus, a region of the brain, sends hormones to the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. These hormones signal the brain to release the hormones responsible for stimulating the ovaries and begin the menstruating process.

Being constantly stressed out makes one more susceptible to irregular periods. Stress can sometimes throw a spanner in the works and mess up one’s whole menstrual cycle, causing it to be late or early. According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can wreak havoc on the menstrual cycle by altering normal hormonal patterns, hindering the menstruator’s ovulation process. This can result in a delayed period, early period, missed period or breakthrough bleeding depending on when the stress occurs during the cycle.

How long can stress delay your period?

While stress can’t cause your periods to stop completely, it can delay your period. If it has been more than six weeks (the amount of time it takes to classify a period as “fully missed”) since your last period, it might be time to visit a doctor and make sure that everything is ok.

Treatments for stress-related amenorrhea

Stress is personal, and what affects one woman may not have the same effect on another. It is vital to figure out your stress triggers and work diligently to tamp them down. One can reduce stress by simple activities such as exercise, meditation, a balanced diet and quality sleep.

While one can try and incorporate the above mentioned in their routines, it is essential to remember that if your period is irregular or doesn’t occur at all for more than three months, you should visit a gynaecologist.

It’s high time we start talking about periods more openly. This #MenstrualHygieneDay, #Infano along with #TheLogicalIndian, is addressing nuanced conversations on period centering on the well being of the menstruators as they power through every day.

The information provided in the article, while collated with utmost care and caution, does not amount to any medical diagnosis. The Logical Indian and Infano team urge people to reach out to their medical practitioner in case of any query that they may have.

Highlights

Whether it is your first time using a menstrual cup or buying a new one, you must clean it and sterilize it before, during, and after your cycle to prevent any infections.

Apart from the boiling method, you can also use specific cup wipes available in the market to clean your menstrual cup.

It is better to use a dedicated breathable pouch that provides ventilation or store it in the pouch in which the menstrual cup comes or wrap it in a clean, cotton handkerchief.

Spread the love

Maintaining good menstrual hygiene is vital for every woman to keep the vagina clean and healthy.

Today, along with cloth pads, there are plenty of menstrual hygienic products available in the market like sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups, and studies show there is an increasing demand for menstrual cups.

WHAT IS A MENSTRUAL CUP?

A menstrual cup is a flexible bell-shaped cup made of medical-grade silicone or rubber to insert into the vagina to catch and collect the menstrual blood during periods.

Menstrual cups are easy to use, safe, and cost-effective, and unlike the sanitary napkins and tampons that are disposable, menstrual cups are long-lasting and reusable.

The cost of a menstrual cup would be roughly equal to the cost of 7% of 12 sanitary napkins, making it cost-effective. A woman typically disposes of over 10,000 tampons/pads in her menstrual life cycle. A cup can last up to 12 years based on how you use it and how you clean and store it.

Menstrual cups are eco-friendly and sustainable, unlike a sanitary napkin which is made of plastic or non-biodegradable material that may take up to 800 years to decompose.

HOW TO CLEAN AND STORE YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP?

Cleaning your menstrual cup is vital to minimize the risk of infections and keep your vagina healthy and hygienic.

If you are the one who made a switch from sanitary napkins to menstrual cups, you might be wondering how the menstrual cup should be cleaned, sterilized, and stored.

Many women aren’t comfortable washing out their cups. It might seem a daunting task to clean the menstrual cup, but the efforts are always worth the results.

Here is a handy guide for you to take care of your menstrual cup, no matter where you are. With proper care, your cup can last for several years!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP?

Whether it is your first time using a menstrual cup or buying a new one, you must clean it and sterilize it before, during, and after your cycle to prevent any infections.

1. Take a bowl of water and boil it on the stove. You can also use a kettle or a microwave to boil water, but make sure not to cover the lid over the microwave container.

2. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add your cup to it and wait for 3-5 minutes. The boiling water will remove the unpleasant odor and discoloration. Make sure that there is enough water in the bowl.

3. Wait for the water to cool down. Take the cup out of the water and wipe it with a piece of clean cloth and let it dry.

Apart from the boiling method, you can also use specific cup wipes available in the market to clean your menstrual cup.

Clear the Air Holes

The most important thing to pay attention to while cleaning your menstrual cup is to ensure that the small air holes on its rim are clear without any residue.

The tiny holes play a vital role in creating the suction of the cup. Blockade of these holes makes it difficult to seal when you reinsert the cup, increasing the likelihood of leakage.

1. Fill your cup with water.

2. Place your palm over the opening of the cup to seal it.

3. Turn the cup upside down.

4. Squeeze the base of the cup to force water out through the holes.

You can also rinse the cup by bending it under the running water and gently stretching the holes to remove any debris. You can also use a toothbrush dedicated to this purpose.

Do not use any sharp objects like needles or pins to clear the holes as it will do more damage than good!

Store the Cup in a Breathable Container

Do not store your menstrual cup in an airtight container or a plastic bag. Menstrual cups need to be stored in properly ventilated and dry containers until the next use. It is better to use a dedicated breathable pouch that provides ventilation or store it in the pouch in which the menstrual cup comes. If you do not have one, you can wrap it in a clean, cotton handkerchief. Keep away from extreme heat, cold, or sunlight.

How to Remove Menstrual Cup Stains and Odor

You are bound to run into some staining and smelling issues after using your cup for several months.

The stains and the odor are unavoidable side effects of using a menstrual cup.

Do not worry. There is no need to replace your cup with the new one.

These simple hacks can help remove the stains and restore the color.

1. Rinse your cup in cold water before washing it in hot water.

2. Put the cup under sunlight for 2 hours to restore its original color.

Though not recommended, most of them prefer to soak the cup in 3% hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol for one hour to remove the stains and get rid of the lingering odor.

If you want to go with the natural kitchen items, soak your cup in lemon juice for one hour.

Remember to boil the cup for 20 minutes after you soak it in any of the methods mentioned above to remove any residue!